2016 South Carolina QSO Party

www.scqso.com

The SCQP completed its 2015 event in September and in January, 2016, we decided to change the date of

our annual QSO Party to the last weekend of February. We did this so that we could share the weekend

with our NCQP friends and create “The Carolinas Weekend”. We all believed that this would be a positive

change, but as the SCQP Team Leader, I realized that we only had 8 weeks to plan another SCQP. My #1

concern was to make sure that the contesting world would be aware of our date change. Thanks to the

SCQP Team (W1TEF, KK4DSD. N4XL, W4ANT, NJ4F and WN4AFP), we cranked up the machine and this rest is

history… a great 2016 SCQP experience! Thanks to all of you who came to the 2016 SCQP!

Our next SCQP will be held on February 25, 2017! We hope you can come to the party!

-- 73s Dave WN4AFP, SCQP Team Leader

“THE CAROLINAS WEEKEND”

“The Carolinas Weekend” experience was an exciting on-air experience for the participants and for both the

NCQP and SCQP leadership. The event was even more enjoyable for W8WDW, Del and his XYL won the

“Taste of The Carolinas Weekend” drawing. 149 operators participated in both the NCQP and SCQP. Thanks

to several individuals from both states to make this edible prize possible. We can’t wait to start planning for

“The Carolinas Weekend 2017”!

Having both Carolina QPs on the same weekend (SCQP Saturday & NCQP Sunday) created a very interesting

on-air occurrence. On Saturday all SC stations were the “hunted” and we became the “hunters” on Sunday.

It was cool to work many of the NC stations on both days. We received 35 logs from NC ops which is 31

more than we received for the 2015 SCQP.

Special thanks to KJ4IZW, David Westbrook for creating such a wonderful contesting scoring software and his many hours of help along the way! You can learn more about it by clicking here.

2016 SCQP STATS

We received 247 logs! That’s a 53% increase over the 160 logs we received for the 2015 event.

Received a record high of 183 logs within 3 days of the contest.

45 of our 46 counties were on the air! (missing McCormick).

SC stations worked 49 states (missing Hawaii)

Over 10,000 contacts were made during the 11 hour event

40m was the most active band with almost 6,000 contacts

Phone was the most active mode by a 2 to 1 margin over CW

The top five counties based upon number of QSOs were Spartanburg, Greenville, Edgefield, Aiken

and York.

Bonus Stations made 2,226 QSOs.

2016 SCQP - Bonus Stations

Thanks to all our Bonus Station operators for lighting up the air waves with over 2,226 QSOs for a total

of 837,900 Bonus Points! All the ops did an excellent job!

Station Operators QSOs W4CAE KK4DSD, W4SJD, KI4VRO, KI4VGA, W4JUS KM4LEB,

W1TEF 392

N4HLH W4DAX, AJ4UQ 352

WW4SF W4IX, W4ANT, KV4TH, N4XL, NJ4F, N4UFP WN4AFP 1,482

2016 SCQP – Most Bonus Station QSOs

Rank Callsign Qs

1st WS2E 15

2nd N2CU 11

3rd (Tie) WB8WKQ 10

3rd (Tie) N6MU 10

3rd (Tie) W1WBB 10

2016 SCQP – 10 Mobile Stations

Special thanks to the following mobile operators for being out there in the trenches helping to make the SCQP

so exciting! N4IQ, NY4G, W4RWL, W4WJP, N4UP, N4LDL, KB4KBS, N3EWW, ND4Z and N4BQQ

Mobile Stats/Trivia:

Total Number of QSOs: 1,799

Top 3 stations who worked the most mobiles include N8II, N2CU and KA4AQM. All of these stations

were category winners!

Mobile QSOs per band/mode

o 80m: 89 (cw: 80 phone: 9)

o 40m: 1575 (cw: 400 phone:1175)

o 20m: 133 (cw: 86 phone: 47)

Hourly QSO Rates (all mobiles):

o Best QSO Rate for 10 minutes period 222 QSOs/hour at 2016-02-27 15:48:00 o Best QSO Rate for 30 minutes period 196 QSOs/hour at 2016-02-27 21:09:00 o Best QSO Rate for 60 minutes period 140 QSOs/hour at 2016-02-27 22:20:00

“Hunley Challenge”

The “Hunley Challenge” was a special award offered by The Trident Amateur Radio Club commemorating

the mission of the HL Hunley submarine. They provided a beautiful certificate to all who qualified for their

award during the SCQP. Thanks to W4DAX and crew for making this possible!

2016 SCQP Category Winners

South Carolina Mobiles

Category Winner Score

Single Operator -- No Driver N4UP 39,616* Single Operator -- with Driver KB4KBS 8,619*

Multi-Operator – 1 Transmitter W4RWL 45,111* Multi-Operator – 2+ Transmitters N4IQ

(AC4Q, N4IQ) 141,403*

South Carolina Single Operator – Single Transmitter

Category Winner Score

Mixed Mode High Power KG6MC 136,042* Mixed Mode Low Power KS4YX 55,233*

Mixed Mode QRP Power K4NK 27,292*

Phone High Power W4SLT 32,982*

Phone Low Power K4NAB 44,750* Phone QRP Power KB4IAN 18,634*

CW High Power K2SX 51,122*

CW Low Power KB4GYT 84,588*

South Carolina Multi-Operator – Single Transmitter

Category Winner Score

Mixed Mode Low Power WR4EC (AE4UX, AA4UJ, KK4DID, AB4BF, W3MIF,

KM4GLW, KM4MMT, W8SC)

98,990*

South Carolina Multi-Operator – Multi-Transmitters

Category Winner Score

Mixed Mode Low Power KC4RC 906

2016 SCQP CATEGORY WINNERS

Out Of State Stations

N8II and KA4AQM tied for working the most SC counties – 38 out of 46!

Single Operator – Single Transmitter

Category Winner Score

Mixed Mode High Power N8II 11,474* Mixed Mode Low Power N2CU 11,014*

Mixed Mode QRP Power WS2E 7,886*

Phone High Power W4CRN 3,634*

Phone Low Power KA4AQM 3,632* Phone QRP Power W4DUK 3,545*

CW High Power W2RR 2,240

CW Low Power VA3ATT 2,796

CW QRP Power K4FT 3,046

Digital Low Power AI6DO 352

Multi-Operator – Single Transmitter

Category Winner Score

Mixed Mode Low Power W4YK (NA4X, KC5F)

2,166

Mixed Mode QRP Power KD2BGM 735

Phone Low Power KK4MOV 2,360

* Category Winner with 50+ valid QSOs. Due to two SCQP events with 5 months, we are not providing plaques for the 2016 event because our plaque sponsors just purchased their 2015 event awards. If you would like a 2016 SCQP, we will make them available for $25 each. Please email Dave Edmonds, WN4AFP at daveedmo@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing a 2016 SCQP plaque. We will be offering awards with sponsors for the 2017 SCQP!

2016 SCQP WINNERS

State/Province/DX

Location Winner Score Alabama KK4KO 960

Arkansas KD5ILA 2,943

California N6MU 5,750

Connecticut W1ARY 2,628

DX DK2OY 2,656

Florida W4CRN 3,634

Georgia K4BAI 8,312

Idaho NG7O 712

Illinois N9JF 3,780

Indiana WB9CIF 2,168

Kansas K0HNC 2,745

Kentucky K4FT 3,046

Massachusetts W1DWA 3,100

Maryland KC3ASH 1,281

Michigan WB8WKQ 6,704

Minnesota K0RJW 1,718

Missouri AC0CU 5,750

Mississippi K7ZYV 192

North Carolina W4JL 7,154

North Dakota WB0IWG 4

New Hampshire W1END 1,150

New Jersey WS2E 7,886

New Mexico NM5WB 1,742

New York N2CU 11,014

Ohio NS8O 3,152

Oklahoma K5ZZR 770

Ontario VA3ATT 2,796

Pennsylvania KQ3F 2,430

Quebec VE2GT 1,075

Rhode Island W1WBB 6,719

South Carolina KG6MC 136,042

South Dakota W0SEB 2,745

Tennessee KJ4IWZ 6,680

Texas N1CC 5,749

Virginia W4YY 4,552

Washington KI7DG 725

Wisconsin WO9B 2,250

West Virginia N8II 11,474

2016 SCQP – SOAPBOX Feedback source from direct communications and postings from 3830scores.com

Comments were edited for formatting with claimed scores data/details omitted. Just posting the comments.

KA4AQM Had an absolute blast. Only made 36 contacts last year, so goal was to surpass that. If I have done everything right, looks

like total of 65 contacts for the 2016 SCQSOP. Contacted all but a few counties. The mobiles made the day and were very

plentiful and patient. No kicking, no biting, and no shoving. Bonus stations popped up periodically to make the party

interesting. One of the bat laid back parties in the USA. Congrats to all those who made it happen….now, will they have

the energy to work the NC QSOP tomorrow? GL and thanks.

KA4AQM

Chesapeake Virginia

KB4KBS/M

A little rough getting started but finally prevailed and had a pleasant few hours of riding through Spartanburg,

Union, York, and Cherokee counties of South Carolina while my lovely wife acted as a chauffeur. Thanks to all

for the contacts.

Yaesu FT450D 100W Ham Stick Chrysler Town-Country Van

N1CC

Score includes 3,300 Bonus Points. WriteLog still does not score correctly for this event. Manual manipulation

of the Cabrillo File to enter RTTY contacts and add unique multipliers from Digital to CW total in the score

calculation. RP. K3/100 at 5 Watts to F12 C3 at 64' or 80/40 Fan Dipole at 50' and 160 Meter Inverted L. Noise

reduction by power company a week ago greatly helped the receive capability, still more work to be done

towards the NW. I entered as QRP, and that probably limited my abilities. Not able to make any 40M contacts

during morning afternoon, all contacts on 80/40 made at dusk time. I could hear the SC stations but they could

not hear me in the morning. The QRM from the UBA, NAQP-RTTY and NPOTA operations added to the

adventure of finding stations and making completed contacts. I will be back next year ... maybe not QRP JIm

KS4YX

This was a fun, but exhausting effort for me. I worked a lot of the usual suspects and plenty of new ones. This

is low power with a fan dipole, and a Carolina Windom; 75=/- watts, and a Yaesu FT-950.

AD8J

Score includes 3 Q's with WW4SF. I was planning to spend more time but I couldn't hear enough SC stations to

make it any fun. Ended up going to the remote site to do maintenance for most of the afternoon.

N2CU

Score includes points for 11 band-mode QSOs with the three bonus stations. First time entering this contest.

Propagation to SC was poor on all bands early on but got better as the day wore on. Worked WW4SF late and

low in the band on 160m with good signals. Too bad more stations didn't give top band a try. Altogether, not a

bad turnout. 73s Tom

K3/100, TH6DXX @ 15m, 40 Inv. V, 80m wire vertical, 160m Inv. L, N1MM

KI4MZC

Well, I wasn't involved during the whole QSO Party, but I had a good time anyway. Thanks to all who answered

my little signal.

NY4G/M

First QSO Party and First As a Rover

N6MU

Score includes 5200 bonus points from 14 total Qs with the bonus stations. 10 and 15 were open all day.

Thanks to those who moved with me. Sure looks like most of the action during the day was on 40/80. The only

mobile I could hear on 20 was N4IQ. 73...John

TS-570; 5BTV

WW4SF(W4IX)

Interesting strategy usuig club calls for Bonus Stations. Overall was a fun experience. Activity was so so due to

other operating events taking place this weekend. Thanks to all who called in and to the SCQP Organizers who

worked extremely hard to make this QSO Party competitive. A few more mobiles and things could be much

different. 73 John

W1END

Wish I could have found more activity. I see by the posts there were a lot that I missed. Had to qrt early as the

day was my xyl's birthday. We had a good dinner. Next year. Thanks to all. Eldon

K8MR

The SC stations were pretty weak on 40 during the day, and it was interesting getting beat out by stations

further north that I could not even hear. Too close on 20 meters for SC. 73 - Jim

W4YY(HP1/K6CT)

Enjoyed the experience as remote operator from Rep of Panama via K3/Mini to W4AAW base station. Born

and raised in SC and graduated from 'real' USC; it was fun to connect with many of the counties I was familiar.

Took 2 hour nap and planned to operate last 2 hours to take advantage of 80/160m. Unfortunately, lost

connectivity with K3 remote unit and was 'locked' out. Mike was out to dinner so no way to reboot. Tnx to the

mobile stations that make this QSO party interesting. Where was my home county Laurens?

AI4DB

Propagation into west Tennessee was fair at it's best. I enjoyed the QSO party as usual. Would like to see more

operators on the 80 meter band in the evening. The band was open and pretty quiet. Thanks.

AE8M

I operated fixed mobile from a motel parking lot in Hilton Head SC. The rig was a KX3/KXPA100 powered by a

32 AH battery, into hamstick antennas. Since the battery power was limited, I operated reduced power, 20 to

50 watts. Every two hours or so, I would run into the motel to charge up the battery, resulting in several off-

the-air times of an hour. I worked 20 SC counties and 33 states, plus 6 DX. Overall, it was a very pleasant day

with palm trees and blue skies out the window as opposed to the usual gloom back home in Ohio. I am trying

to put some time in on the NC QP today, but the wife's tolerance for hamming on vacation is being challenged.

I am trying to summit my log through SCQP website, but keep getting an error message. Thanks to the

sponsors for a fun contest. John, AE8M

KB1IRB

Great contest. Wish I had more time. Maybe next year.

K2SX

Nice to see such good activity even if condx were not that great. Thanks to those who gave me QSOs.

K4BAI

FT1000MP, Alpha 78, 1 KW, TH6DXX, dipole, zepp.

Good activity. Fair conditions. Time here limited. Worked 14 counties on CW and 34 counties on SSB. Bonus

stations worked: N4HLH x1. W4CAE x1. WW4SF x 5. Hope to work you all again in the GA QSO Party the

second full weekend in April. 73, John, K4BAI.

N4IQ

Multi Multi Mobile - Two mobile stations - AC4Q SSB and N4iQ CW

Finally got home - Phil (AC4Q) and I had a great time on Saturday. Conditions were really good on all the three

bands we operated mobile. Having the SCQP is DEFINITELY better this time of the year - no bugs!!! and we

didn't melt from summer heat. With winter conditions, 80M came alive just using a 12 Ft whip ... and included

UA3AGW. He must have some kind of 80M antenna system! Worked him 80-40-20M. Phil's half gallon SSB

mobile station was in the repair shop so he operated 100W from his truck. Because of this and other problems

the number of SSB contacts was down from last year. Again, I want to thank the SCQP committee for all the

hard work that went into this year’s event – new rules, coordination with NC, great web site and tools, etc.

etc. Just a big thanks - and also to the bonus stations WW4SF, N4HLH, W4CUE and the ops. Can't wait until

next year.

N8II

Score includes 2,950 bonus points with W4CAE, N4HLH (could not hear me on 20), and WW4SF (worked x 6

band/modes and many more Q's, would guess they provided over half of total SC Q's made). Activity was fairly

low, several mobiles were active but seemed to change counties slowly and routes seemed to overlap and be

in some counties well covered by home stations. Thanks to the mobiles N4IQ, N4UP, W4WRL, NY4G, ND4Z,

KB4KBS, N4LDL, and N4BQQ for traveling around to boost up the mult total. The last hour was particularly

lonely. I assume SC stations ran out of takers on 75/80M and called it a night, only one new mult was worked

in that hour, N4IQ/M in Colleton. You really needed the mult list to figure out some of the abbreviations to

log, and it appeared several ops had no idea of their 4 letters. I was able to run several on 40 phone off and

on, but very few on 40 or 80 CW or 75 phone. I think I actually operated over 8 hours, time between Q's

exceeded 10 minutes a few times. I only took time off for a brief lunch, brief dinner, and walking the dog. The

WW4SF Swamp Fox guys kept things going when it got slow, good effort on their part. 20 barely opened very

briefly to very southern SC, only K2SX in Georgetown was fairly loud. 40 weakened from 1730-2030Z, but

could still copy most stations well and last hour closed slowly to SC. 75/80 sounded pretty good and was

copying many EU stations in the UBA test, but activity was poor. This time of year suits me better for a QP

than September/Oct. But, having NCQP the next day makes for a tough decision, they have more activity.

Thanks for all of the QSO's, each was particularly precious. 73, Jeff

AJ5E

Got stuck at work most of the day Sat. Missed two of my three shifts on WW4SF, and only managed 2 hrs BIC

for my own self. :-( On the up-side, I hadn't gone insane yet, so ran my rig at a respectable 100w. ;-) (Ran QRP

for NCQP the next day. That was... educational.)

W1WBB

Missed first 3 hours plus due to outside commitment. Maybe I missed prime time?? Only mobile stn found

multiple times was N4iQ (5 Q's)...so that made things a bit slow. Concentrated on CW mode but activity was

thin, esp. with few mobiles on so worked some SSB. Lowbands were in fine shape here in W1! More bonus

points (3650) than QSO points (3069)!! Bonus Stn Q count: WW4SF (11), N4HLH (2), W4CAE (1). Realized a bit

late they could appear in multiple counties...or may have hunted them more aggressively. Worked W1BS and

WW4SF on 20 thru 160m. Qualified for Hunley Award with wild card N4HLH, having missed Union Cty. Overall,

enjoyed a few hours in the first half of the Carolina BBQ-P weekend! 73, Bill W1WBB

Icom 706 @ 100 watts to a Hexbeam @ 32' on 20m; 88' doublet @ 42' on 40/80m + low OCF dipole; Inv L on

160m. N1MM+ Logger, K1EL WinKeyer USB

KN4Y

It was either the lousy band conditions or most of the CW operator in SC retired and moved to Florida. It was

difficult to stay awake. But did have a nice run on 80-meters. Heard one 1x1 call but did not hear me. Did not

hear the wildcard on CW.

K4HC

Jumped in for just a short time. This did manage to get me motivated for NCQP the next day, here I put in

much more of an effort. Thanks for the QSO's.

WN4AFP

I'd like to thank all of you for coming to the 2016 SCQP and participating in The Carolina Weekend. Activity

records were broken in the 2016 event. We are currently seeking mobiles and especially CW ops to come and

run SC counties. The next SCQP will be February 25, 2017! Visit www.scqso.com for more details and more.

73s Dave WN4AFP (SCQP Team Leader)

N4UP/M

Mobile operation from Williamsburg, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Dillon, and Marlboro counties.

AE4TJ

My second QSO Party and contest. Had a great time! Plan to be in the same place in CLRN County next year!

Did not have a computer at Station. Ran Paper log, entered on Excel, and converted to text.

AE6JV

Thanks for SSB with South Carolina for 3 mode WAS.

F8BFU

Work only on 21Mhz in CW. Heard and called KG6MC and K2SX, but no answer

G4JFS

Worked every SC station I heard - one!

K0BAK

Casual operator, looked mostly at your SCQP spot page while splicing wires. Would have loved to come down

to operate mobile, but too many home jobs, maybe next year. You guys do a great job of promotion and a well

done web site. Smart to hold it back to back with NC. Next year I'll make more an effort I hope.

K2HT

Did not have a lot of time, little time I had was most enjoyable. Thanks for sponsoring a nice QP. Look

forward to SCQP 2017.

K2SX

I don't think that n1mm+ added in bonus points correctly. Didn't hear many mobiles and no sign of N4HLH.

Nice to hear good activity outside of SC but need a lot more SC participation. It might be good to extend the

end of the contest by an hour or two so that West Coast stations had more of a chance to work SC on low

bands. It worked well being run at the same time as UBA since that gave a good number of DX stations to

work.

K3TW

It was nice to hear so many South Carolina stations on the air.

K4REB

Just sorry I didn't have a lot more time to enjoy the SC QSO PARTY

K4VBM

Enjoyed my 2nd SCQP, and bettered my last year score of 362!

K5PLT

Had to turn away before propagation became good to CA. Let's hope for better transcontinental conditions

next year.

K5ZZR

Great SC operaters......

KA4TLC

Enjoyed it but had to spend time fixing my antenna. wish NC and SC would join together, maybe a Sat n Sun

contest with only 12 hours per operator

KC0MCK

Ended up being busy with other projects throughout the day, but had a blast working a few stations! Looking

forward to next year!

KD2BME

Thanks SC. This was well organized

KD5ILA

Great time. Did better than my last year’s score. First time I have used a Spotter Page, spotting SC stations.

KE0TT

K3/10 at 5 watts to a pair of broadband dipoles. Mainly used an 88' running NE / SW up about 45' fed with

ladder line and an old Johnson Matchbox. Thanks for the fun!

KF4QFJ

Second month OTA. SC WOW! I enjoyed chasing the mobile W4RWL. Looking forward to next year's SCQP. -

73!

KG4YTP

I had a grand time working QRP SSB.

KK4VXD

Thoroughly enjoyed the contest, it was my first one ever.

KN4Y

Not the best conditions to the Florida panhandle, did not hear much CW activity. Missed the wildcard, heard

one 1X1 but did not hear me. But nice run on 80-meters.

LY5W

Many events this weekend, CQ 160 PH, UBA Contest, REF PH,.....etc TNX for Q.P.

N1NN

4TH SOUTH CAROLINA QSO PARTY

N4CW

Operated from St. Augustine, FL with indoor antenna.

N4IQ

MULTI MULTI MOBILE -TWO MOBILES STATIONS AND TWO OPERATORS

N4JRI/M

Worked a few stations to tune up my mobile and prep for NCQP. If I didn’t have to work on Sunday mornings,

I’d love to be mobile in SC. Enjoyed working some of you in the NCQP. Hope to work you in VQP next

weekend.

N4MIO

Had a great time, tnx to the mobiles for answering my cq on a few occasions. 73, cu you in the NCQP I will be

operating at K4EG.

N4NTO

Enjoyed the brief time I got to play!

N4UP

SINGLE OP MOBILE, NO DRIVER, OPERATED FROM SIX COUNTIES WILLIAMSBURG, GEORGETOWN, HORRY,

MARION, DILLON, MARLBORO

N6MA

OPERATING FROM TENNESSEE.

N9WL

Thanks to the contest organizers!

N9ZG

Had fun!

NA2NY

part time effort, bands not that good,

NN4RB

Just a few contacts from a native son.

NY4G/M

First time operating portable in a QSO Party. I had to do a lot of driving but it was still fun setting up in the

other counties. It is also my first serious effort in a QSO party. I activated 4 counties - Greenville, Spartanburg,

Cherokee, and Union. Most of the time I was only running 25 watts to conserve my batteries. Initially I ran at

50 watts. It was great fun.

UA3AGW

Thanks for the party!

VA3QV

Casual operating from home. Flex 1500 QRP with an 55 end fed wire tossed in a tree along with 4 radials.

Elecraft T1 QRP Auto Tuner and a 4:1 Balun... Made CW and Digital (RTTY and PSK 31) contacts. A great way

to spend an afternoon when its too cold outside A big thank you to the stations that could hear "5W and a

Wire" A bigger thank you to the organisers... it was fun 73bob

W1END

Rig was FTdx5000 and Butternut HF6V all-band vertical.

W1WBB

Part one of the "BBQ-P" weekend was fun! Hope for more mobiles on CW next time around.

W2UDT

40M was the band from here. Could not be heard on 20M SSB but did work

W4DUK

Another great QSO Party. Hope to see you again next year!

W4JL

This was my first SC QSO Party and I really enjoyed it. I had a great time playing radio here in Dirty Ankle, NC.

W4VG

I think the spotting page turned every bonus station into the equivalent of a DX pileup. Little pistols don't

have a chance. QSO Parties are supposed to be casual, fun. It did not seem to me that there were very many

SC stations participating.

W4YY

Born and raised in Laurens County. Nice to work SC again. All contacts were via remote controlled station in

VA; Operator was in Rep of Panama...HP1/K6CT.

W8JPF

Limited time; love QSO Parties so I was glad to work a few SC stations.

W9GRS

This is our first time participating in the SCQP from the school station. We used it as a great diversionary

break from preparing our science olympiad projects. We also were glad to pick up SC in CW as we inch closer

to Triple Play! We had a great time and it was cool to work the CSS Hunley! Our history teacher will be excited

to get the card!

WA4ZOF

Heath HW8 1.5w 160ft dipole @ 30ft. thanks to all. Tom WA4ZOF

WG8Y

Only had a few hours late into the day to give out some Q's to the guys in there pounding it out. Hope

everyone had a good time. I did & tnxs for working my qrp station. 72 From N.C. Mark WG8Y

WO9B

HOORAH!!! What a time. Love the new website. Took a spin as a CW QRP entry. It was a real challenge. I'd

work an hour and then take some time off. Wash, rinse and repeat. Bonus stations were easy to find using

the web page. Way to go guys. Nice job.

WR4EC|From Edgefield County Hospital